Grand tourers are special in the world of motoring. Big, powerful engines up front, a comfortable and luxurious interior that usually seats four, and a decent-sized boot, these cars are designed to travel long distances in total comfort. Classic cars are also very collectible, and prized for their drivability even decades later.
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Grand tourers have existed since the 1920s but the 1960s saw a real peak. With the best design and so many different brands vying for people to buy their cars. Whilst there are arguably better grand tourer cars from different decades, it is hard to argue that there was a better decade for these motors.
10 Alvis TF21
This stylish looking GT car was the last car Alvis made before declaring bankruptcy in 1967. The TF21 was an upgraded version of the TE21 introduced in 1963. Introduced in 1966 the TF21 featured upgraded mechanicals to make the car quicker and better to drive.
Only 106 were ever made as either a coupe or convertible. All featured a 3-liter I6 with an upgraded triple carburetor set up, enough to give this GT 150 hp. A revised suspension was fitted. Disc brakes were added to all wheels too.
9 Aston Martin DB5
This car needs no introduction. If it is good enough for James Bond to effortlessly drive one from Britain to Switzerland then it must be a seriously good GT. Featuring a powerful 4.0-liter I6 engine, stunning styling by Superleggera and a sumptuous interior, there weren’t many cars that could eat up miles whilst looking so cool.
Vantage models further boosted power to 314 bhp, making gaining speed even more effortless. There was even a very rare convertible option available which commands even more money than the standard DB5 nowadays.
8 Facel Vega II
This grand tourer blends the best of France and America into one amazing package. Stunning French styling with sharp lines and comfortable suspension. And an American sourced 6.3-liter V8 producing 390 bhp and this grand tourer could our-accelerate a lot of sports cars.
Only 182 examples were ever made however and prices remain high for these French classics. One issue with the II was that the immense power was not supported by upgraded brakes or refinements to the chassis. But it still remains one of the most iconic looking grand tourer cars of all time.
7 Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona
This grand tourer can boast having held the world record for fastest production car. Featuring a 4.4-liter V12 engine producing 352 bhp, this car was capable of going 174 mph. All whilst carrying four people in comfort.
Over 1300 of these icons were made. Early examples made use of fixed headlamps before Ferrari switched to pop-up units in 1970. These earlier models are considered more collectible and can fetch more when sold. All 365s however are effortlessly cool.
6 Gordon-Keeble GK1
This long-defunct brand was responsible for one of the finest grand tourers of the 1960s and was the marques only car. Powered by a 5.4-liter Chevrolet V8 and with styling by Giugario the GK 1 was assembled in Britain.
Rather unusually for a grand tourer, it was made from glassfibre. It was also very expensive, partially responsible for why only 100 were ever made. With a top speed of 135 it was very quick and had excellent handling. Over 90% of these models still exist too.
5 Iso Rivolta
Introduced in 1962, the Iso Rivolta was an Italian grand tourer that could take on the best that Ferrari could offer. Using a 5.4-liter GM V8, the Rivolta produced 300 bhp, the Rivolta could reach a top speed of nearly 140 mph.
Nearly 800 of these grand tourers were made over and eight year production run and are a popular grand tourer even today. A botched facelift model called the Lele failed to save the brand however.
4 Jensen Interceptor
A stunning car by all accounts and a proper grand tourer car, the Interceptor was a success for Jensen when it was launched in 1966. Available with a host of Chrysler V8s, the fastest being a 6.2-liter option with three twin-barrel carburettors. This model was able to reach 133 mph and produced 325 bhp.
The FF version was the first performance car to offer permanent four-wheel-drive and ant-lock brakes. This model was longer and heavier to accommodate the four-wheel-drive system but could still manage 130 mph. The FF model is the most desirable.
3 Lamborghini 350GT
The first production Lamborghini car, the 350GT was born out of bitterness towards Ferrari. After owner Ferruccio Lamborghini felt Enzo Ferrari had offered appalling levels of service, he set out to beat Ferrari at its own game.
The 350GT was a front-engined grand tourer designed to challenge the best Ferrari could offer. With a 3.5-liter V12, the 350GT produced 320 bhp and was good for 155 mph. The later 400GT 2+2 firmly cemented Lamborghinis status as a legitimate rival to Ferrari.
2 Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli was one of the finest cars produced by Maserati. It was also one of the best grand tourers produced in the 1960s. Introduced in 1969 it made use of a brilliant 4.8 -liter V8 that produced a very respectable 330 bhp.
With a top speed of 155 mph and gorgeous Giugiaro styling it was an attractive prospect, even against the faster Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Over 1,200 of these cars were produced and they are very expensive in any condition. The rare spyder version is worth even more however.
1 Monteverdi High Speed 375S
Switzerland is not the first country enthusiasts would consider for producing amazing grand tourers. However in the 1960s, Monteverdi was a force to be reckoned with. Before moving into re-bodied versions of normal cars including the International Harvester Scout, the brand competed against Ferrari and Lamborghini with the High Speed 375 series.
Two options were available, both were suitably quick. The standard car used a Chrysler sources 7.2-liter V8 producing 390 bhp and allowing for a 162 mph top speed. The fastest version however used a 450 bhp Hemi engine and could do 170+ mph.